Food and Drink

11/14/2015

The Fiestas de Barelas were celebrated, today, in the heart of Albuquerque. A couple of city blocks, on 4th Street, were closed down for fiesta-goers to enjoy one of the oldest neighborhoods in the 505. Just west of the Albuquerque Rail Yards, lies a thriving little community that is the anchor of Albuquerque's history. It was a fabulous Autumn day on 4th Street.

The vendors were out, in force, displaying their works of art, handmade crafts, and, local produce.

It wouldn't be a proper New Mexican fiesta without green chile.

And, Helados.

San Jose Mariachi, from Washington Middle School, performed - incredibly talented young people.

Lots of vecinos.

..and then the best tamales we have had in a very long time (from Senor Tortas.)

10/18/2015

Today was the day - booming punkin launchers hurled innocent pumpkins to their early demise at the annual Punkin Chunkin Festival in Estancia. We were so impressed by the event last year that we got up early, on a Saturday, and drove east to enjoy the festivities again.

It wasn't all about chunkin punkins, though.

Before the punkins were launched through the brilliant New Mexico sky, we ate some excellent food and watched a nice small town parade.

We had a tasty burrito, and really tasty biscuits and gravy, at The Old Mill restaurant. Situated on the main drag through Estancia, the Old Mill is owned by Rick Lopez, who came out and greeted us with a friendly handshake.

The red chile, in the papas and egg burrito, was yummy - and had a kick. The gravy, on the soft and flavorful biscuits, was some of the best we have had. Also known for its home made pies, we had to split a piece of fresh baked apple pie. The crust was flaky - the apples were delicious and not too sweet.

Elissa and Raul enthusiastically took care of us.

It is a charming place. The food is affordable.

After our quick meal, we walked across the street and watched the parade. We love parades - especially small town parades. They are intimate and showcase what is best about small towns - family oriented fun. The kids were out with their trick or treat bags waiting for candy to be thrown.

The color guard led.

The parade is all about the punkin chunkin machines.

...and about the participants.

A cool truck.

And who doesn't love a fire truck in all its shiny-red-glory?

Thanks, Estancia, for a nice Autumn day. We love your hospitality, good food and your pumpkin and pinto bean fields. We also love your billions, and billions, of grasshoppers.

07/20/2014

What happens when the City of Albuquerque closes down Central between Washington and Girard?

Great things happen. Our historic main thoroughfare fills with people of every shape, age, sex and color. Burquenos from every neighborhood join with skaters, artisans, car junkies, dancers, performers and bystanders to enjoy a day and night together, on the same asphalt, under the same sun, clouds, stars and moon.

This years Summer Fest at Nob Hill was a good time. The crowds seem to be getting larger, and more diverse, for the Nob Hill Summer Fest party each Summer. We like this. Generally, Albuquerque gets along. City sponsored functions, like this one, faciliate community involvement like no other. Unless you want to eat, it is free to walk up and down Central to window shop, watch people, and, listen to really good music.

The City moves these festivities to different locations around Albuquerque - this is one of our favorites.

As usual a large number of cars were there to be seen and admired. Most were there to participate in the Neon Cruise at sunset.

A number of musicians performed throughout the festivities, we came across this soon to be famous little guitarist. He was the definition of adorable.

04/14/2014

Founders Day was celebrated this past Saturday at Old Town. Our city is 308 years old. The plaza was full of birthday revelers. They listened to music, danced, and enjoyed the day under a beautiful New Mexico sky. Elm seeds, along with a handful of raindrops, fell from the sky.

Founders Day has changed over the years. The formal procession isn't as long, or colorful, as it used to be. The formal procession of old showcased founding families, impressive native dancers (as they twirled in their extravagant, beautiful costumes,) and, large puppets that would sway as they were walked around the plaza. The birthday cake has disappeared leaving participants craving that old school party feel.

Old Town Plaza is the heart of Albuquerque, and, during the year is host to family oriented events that are free. The man behind these events is Chuy Martinez - our favorite City employee who is also the best dressed. He does an admirable job at all of these functions.

04/21/2013

Last year's Founders Day celebration in Albuquerque was disappointing. The parade wasn't really a parade and the entire party felt disorganized. This year's Founders Day Celebration was much better. The procession (formerly known as the parade) was still a snore but the rest of the cultural activities made up for everything the procession wasn't. There was color, activity, dance, song, poetry and the smell of New Mexico cuisine in the air. We had a great time.

There was lots of activity at the Gazebo - Philippino dancers, poetry from Albuquerque's Poet Laureate, Hakim Bellamy, beautiful song from Gospel Singers, and, colorful Flamenco dancers whirling on stage. Several Era's of New Mexico history were celebrated in different sections of Old Town. Native American, Spanish, Mexican and Territorial Eras were all represented.

The founding families of Albuquerque walked into the Plaza with their coats of arms held high. They surrounded the Gazebo, most dressed in period garb.

The Albuquerque Filipino Cultural Group celebrated with dance, song, kites and the Tinikling.

The African American Showcase: poetry and song.

We stopped for some excellent dogs in between our photo hunts.

He can be found in front of Metro Court weekdays and downtown Friday and Saturdays.

There would be no celebration without Fry Bread.

Fabulous Native dancers northeast of the Gazebo.

The Matachines de Santo Rosario danced in the Mexican era village. Two drums and lots of men, women, and little ones, moving to the beat in elaborate costumes and headresses.

Last, but certainly not least, the Emcee of the show, Chuy Martinez, did an incredible job working the crowd and informing everyone about events all over Old Town.

And while this was not part of the Fiestas we are putting it here just because we love lowriders and Chevys :)

10/14/2012

We love to take advantage of the goings on in our South Valley neighborhoods. Whether it is to walk along the Bosque, photograph the river, watch migrating birds, or just drive through the neighborhoods searching for Moradas, the South Valley is beautifully rich in scenery, warm people and a rich cultural heritage.

We spent most of today enjoying the 2012 Local Food Festival and Field Day, held at the historic Hubbell House, on Isleta Boulevard. The Hubbell House is surrounded by produtive fields and spectacular Cottonwoods. Sponsored by numerous local businesses and organizations, visitors were treated to booths full of entrepreneurs marketing their unique goods, local produce, honey, and, information about composting and recycling.

The festival came complete with a horno that showcased live baked bread demonstrations.

The City of Albuquerque had their climbing wall available for the kids.

We ran into Albuquerque's very own Poet Laureate, Hakim Bellamy, and his beautiful son.

Kudos to the event planners for making this a family friendly event. Aside from the rock climbing wall, we saw a seed spitting competition, an area dedicated to cool things for the little ones, and, happy kids.

(smiles courtesy of Noble and Kalika)

For more information on local food, the Agriculture Collaborative Mid Region Council of Governments has a great website and blog. Check it out and enjoy the vastness, and beauty, of the communities that outline Albuquerque proper.

09/09/2012

Chile. Not the Republic of, but New Mexico's State vegetable as lauded by Shakespeare. We kid you, but he would have, had he known its sublime taste and multiple uses.

Chile. Not chili, or, chilies, or chilli peppers. Just chile. The singular, and the plural, all in one word. The one word that will evoke a certain question. Red or green? To that we answer, "we like them both."

It is that time of year when, on any given day, and in just about every part of the New Mexican high desert, New Mexican noses are treated to the wandering wafts of chile roasting. Yum. Fall. And, by the half bushel or bushel, our freezers are filling up with the essence of all that is good...for our tummies.

We natives know this stuff. We are addicted to it. And we get our most severe cravings for chile just as the plane wheels are leaving the runway. Somewhere, down deep inside our psyche, we know that we won't get the stuff, again, until we return to this Land of Enchantment.

Don't know much about chile? Here is your primer.

A basket full of green chile, just picked.

We don't just have one kind of chile in New Mexico. We have many.

Red chile (left on the plant longer than green), Sandia and Big Jim. Choose from mild or hot.

Big Jim is a popular choice. Excellent flavor and easy on multiple palates.

First, chile must be purchased. Bags are sold on the side of roads, in the backs of grocery stores and out of parking lots. The chile needs to be roasted. Roasting can be done at home, old school, or, it can be roasted in a high-tech-new-fangled roasters that move rotisserie style and are powered by propane.

The chile is roasted over an open flame as it turns. The smell is incredible.

Roasting chile always gives us a warm and fuzzy feeling. And, it makes us very hungry.

Once the roasting has been completed, the chile is dumped into a plastic garbage bag.

From here most New Mexicans put the chile into freezer bags and pop them into their freezers for the cold months to come. Green chile enchiladas, rellenos, stew, red chile over eggs, and, salsa warm the blood when it is cold outside. It can also be eaten, hot off a grill, on a warmed tortilla.

If eating chile is too much for delicate taste buds, maybe a ristra will do the trick. They are beautiful and can be hung just about anywhere.

06/26/2012

Some of the stuff happening in Albuquerque this weekend. This is what we find interesting.

Lots of events sponsored by Albuquerque Pride this week. The parade is Saturday, June the 30th. Route begins at Central and Girard, traveling to Expo New Mexico. Start time is 10:00 a.m.

Support local growers at our incredible Growers Markets. From downtown Albuquerque take your taste buds along the Middle Rio Grande Valley from Belen through Los Ranchos, towards Corrales and into Bernalillo. The New Mexico Farmers Markets site has a nice list of markets, locations and times.

06/17/2012

Penasco is beautiful in the Summer. Green Valleys, cows, mountains, big fat billowy white clouds, and, a fabulous BLT. Last week I found a wonderful little bistro right off the High Road to Taos. Aptly named Sugar Nymphs, it is housed in a wonderfully old building with beautiful murals on all exterior walls, and, right next door to a theatre.

The menu is simple...and really good. The Chef makes her own foccacia for the sandwiches. It is light and delicious. My BLT was crafted from a foccacia roll and layered with mayo, organic greens, fresh tomato and mouth watering bacon. It was just crispy enough, and, packed full of flavor. The salad on the side was simple with a ginger sesame dressing.

I will say it was distracting to eat my sandwich while looking at the chocolate layer cake sitting on the counter.

I took two pieces to go; one for me and one for Claus. And yes, it was yummy. This would be a nice road trip for dinner. Must go back.